Senate Democrats introduce bill against Maduro"s election tactics

On September 20, 2024, prominent Senate Democrats Ben Cardin and Tim Kaine announced plans to introduce the VERDAD Act, aimed at addressing the oppressive regime of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela. The legislation recognizes Edmundo González Urrutia, Maduro's exiled opponent, as the rightful election winner and supports a peaceful transition of power to him and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. The act also proposes targeted sanctions against Maduro's officials involved in repression and expands sanctions on foreign entities aiding the regime. The U.S. government and the international community assert that González Urrutia won the election, criticizing the Maduro-controlled National Electoral Council for its lack of transparency. The council's failure to respect the will of the Venezuelan people has led to widespread protests, which were met with violent crackdowns resulting in numerous fatalities. Human Rights Watch reported at least 24 deaths during these protests. Senator Kaine emphasized the dire situation in Venezuela, highlighting the humanitarian crisis and the displacement of people due to the regime's actions. The U.N. has reported an increase in state repression against dissent, indicating a troubling trend in the government's response to opposition. The situation has exacerbated the already critical shortages of food and medicine in the country. The introduction of the VERDAD Act reflects a commitment from U.S. lawmakers to support the Venezuelan populace and impose consequences on Maduro's regime for its fraudulent actions. The act aims to foster a democratic transition and alleviate the suffering of Venezuelans amid ongoing violence and repression.